The only official report on Friday's docket is USDA's monthly cattle on-feed report for March 1, due out at 2 p.m. CDT. Keep in mind February placements will have been affected by the interruption of bitter cold temperatures throughout the central U.S. Otherwise, traders will keep an eye on noncommercial activity after Thursday's sell-off in grains, tension in the crude oil market and the latest weather forecasts.
Weather
Dry conditions and mild temperatures will cover almost all primary crop areas Friday. This combination favors field drying, snow melt and the easing of river flooding after heavy precipitation during the past week. The only precipitation will be in the Northwest, where rain and snow are in store. There is no easing of drought conditions indicated in the northern Plains and Canadian Prairies indicated through the weekend.